ABSTRACT
Views on human nature – who we are in the scheme of the universe and the meaning of our being – to a significant extent determine societal expectations and regulations of human conduct. Rather than believing humans were made by a God, early learned Chinese found reasons to think that humans were the essence of the interactive forces that appeared to be in command of the cosmos. Through centuries of discussions and debates about the nature of man, in spite of the differences between Confucians, Legalists, and Dong Zhongsu’s tripartite theory, the general agreement among ancient Chinese thinkers was that human nature is not only relational, but moral as well. All parties also agreed that the most viable way to nurture and maintain a moral human was through education. Without proper education, human nature would suffer defects or wears and tears which would result in deviant behavior that was harmful to self, family and the community.
